I am often asked why I became a preschool teacher and I always answer the same way, “when I was 4 I had a preschool teacher who was mean to me so I decided then that I would grow up, become a preschool teacher and be nice to children.” Obviously I was either incredibly brilliant to see the future or incredibly stubborn because I am reaching 29 years in this career field next week! The reality was perhaps not as simple as my 4 year old self made it out to be.
I was sent to preschool at the age of 4 (that is me in the pic) and am certain that it was very needed. I was incredibly shy, quiet, and from what I have always 
been told, I didn’t talk to anyone outside of the family prior to starting preschool. I can only imagine I was that crying child who probably frustrated the teacher by her lack of ability to bond with me. That being said, that teacher left a lasting imprint on me even to this day. For what ever reason, we did not connect and I am sure that my impression that she did not like me did not help my introduction to education to go very smoothly. I can remember a particularly bad “field trip gone wrong”, where I ended up sitting on my towel at the beach crying as she yelled telling me I was ugly and weird! I am certain it was the heat of the moment and I would like to think that her intent was not to forever scar me, but the truth is those two words have stuck with me almost 45 years later. Words, both good and bad, have so much power. I think sometimes we forget that an off handed comment, choice words said in anger or insults when frustrated can hurt even more than a physical blow. I think of the rhyme we used to teach children, “sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never harm me”. I would have to strongly disagree! Words can cause harm, words can cause pain, and as we have seen words can result in terrible acts. That being said, what about the good? What difference can we make in the world if we actively shared a kind word, a compliment or words of encouragement? What would our children grow up believing about themselves if we shared with them a little bit of honest truth, if we told them they are valued, they are wanted, they are beautiful, they are unique? Perhaps, one word at a time and one child at a time we can create a positive future.